VGA 2012: The Last of Us gets official release date

Moments ago, the release date for Naughty Dog's hotly-anticipated The Last of Us was revealed at the 2012 Spike VGAs.

The post-apocalyptic thriller, which casts gruff Joel and young stead Ellie in a journey across the United States, will launch for PlayStation 3 on May 7, 2013. The game represents a darker turn for Naughty Dog, and will explore the human element behind survival in a world ravaged by a mysterious virus.

Blood and gore notwithstanding, this won't be one for the kids, but we can't wait to experience Naughty Dog's cinematic mastery in a setting marked by terror and realism. Stay tuned to PSU.com for all things The Last of Us, and more updates from the Spike VGAs.